Puli or Hungarian Shepherd

History, origin & features

Although developed and bred in Hungary, the Puli has its roots deep in Asia. It was used by the nomadic Magyars (the main constituent people of present-day Hungary) as a herding dog, driving and protecting their flocks. The breed was relatively unknown, but gained some popularity when Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg introduced his dog named Beast. The Puli, or Hungarian Shepherd, is a medium-sized, sturdily built sheepdog, recognizable by its coat of long cords resembling dreadlocks. Well muscled, with fine bones and a harmonious constitution, they are agile and quick despite their appearance. Coat: forming long cords or flakes in adulthood, wavy and close in puppies. The topcoat is thick and coarse, with a finer undercoat.
Color: solid black (possibly black with a slight rust-red or gray tinge), fawn with a black, gray or pearl-white mask.
Head: round when viewed from the front, elliptical when viewed from the side. Rather small skull, well-developed superciliary arches, faint stop, small, black nose, unpointed muzzle, taut, dark lips, scissor-like jaws.
Ears: Medium-high, thick at the base, drooping, V-shaped with rounded tips.
Eyes: Medium-sized, obliquely set, dark brown, largely hidden by corded hair, with a lively, intelligent gaze.
Body: length equal to height at withers, therefore square-shaped. The neck is of medium length, well muscled and covered with a generous coat, the topline is straight, the withers very slightly prominent, the back of medium length and firm, the loins well muscled and short, the croup slightly sloping, the chest long and deep and the belly gradually rising towards the rear.
Tail: of moderate length (reaching the hock if stretched), set moderately high and forming a loop folded flat over the croup.